Chương 8: Unified Surrender

A restless quiet choked the Eastern Slums of New Moon City. Only the bleats of farm animals echoed through region. They were too simple to understand the uncertain turmoil in the region. The filthy streets were even more ghostly than usual with only a couple skinny mongrel dogs and chickens roaming about everyday.

An unprecedented event occurred causing all the thugs to run around like headless chickens. Directionless due to the abrupt end of their leaders.

Yes! All the current gangs lost their leaders and most powerful members in a single night!

Usually gangs would just restructure and the strongest would take up the mantel but this case was different! The looming silhouette of the frightening expert Orochi Maru scared them. This man came out of nowhere and crushed all the current forces with ease. There was no way the remaining members of these gangs would dare try to seize any power!

However, on this day the streets were packed with a rather large group of thugs traversing them. The frightening group forced the commonfolk to hide away in their ramshackle shacks.

The civilan folk watched with bated breath and dread. Where else could those thugs be going if not Orochi Manor?

The more informed observers gasped as they recognised a few faces vanguarding the group. "Red viper! Mad dog and is that Bloody crow!?" Someone hidden in a narrow, stinky alleyway whispered as they looked at three particular men vanguarding the large group.

"Ye-yes! It's them. To think I'd get to see the day!" Someone else said in shock.

These men were all from different gangs and fought bitterly for years. Not only these notorious figures, a large number of thugs from various factions marched together in unison. These were some of the strongest and most fierce individuals in the eastern slums!

A malganation of the remaining stragglers of the big 3 forces; men who were bitter enemies, who fought to kill each other over their various terfs and territories! But now they all wore white robes and waved flags of surrender! This once in a lifetime sight almost caused some starving bystanders to follow- going against their learned instinct to avoid large spectacules.

This large group of 700-odd thugs stopped outside the gates of Orochi Manor. The simple, newly repaired gate had an oppressive aura to it.The place seemed haunted in a way and the broken state only served to intensify this horrific image.

They all kneeled before the simple gates of Orochi Manor in the dirt, until a servant came along and told them to pick a few representatives and all those men to come inside. The strongest members of the defeated forces were the obvious choice. Mad dog, Red viper and Bloody crow stalled for a while, they already steeled themselves to curry favour with the new big shot.

They weren't sticking their necks out for the group- they just knew they had the best chance of survival in doing so. But-

They were afraid!

Fearing they'd never leave if they stepped foot inside.

In the end the three 10th leveled Elementary Profound Practitioners stepped bravely into the gaping maw known as Orochi manor, while the larger group remained kneeling.

The three representatives followed the servant through the plain, clean and simple compound before being led to the main hall.

Inside they saw a pale-skinned youth. His face was oval shaped, almost like a young woman's. He sipped his tea with a content look on his face.

The three had similar thoughts at the sight of him. 'The scary Orochi Maru is a dandy pretty boy?'

"To what do I owe the pleasure~?" Orochimaru's silky and playful voice broke them from their reveries.

The the three stepped forward and prostrated themselves in the dirt, extending their open palms. "Lord Orochi Maru we swine are seeking your good will and forgiveness! Please accept our humble offerings!" They said in unison while displaying storage rings.

There was a long silence. But they didn't dare to look up. Not moving even as Orochimaru sent his servant to collect the rings from their palms.

"Hmm..... My good graces? I must thank you three for the gifts but Why do you want my goodwill all of a sudden? I've been here all this time but you're all coming over now?"

"Could it be that the reason you're here is in hopes I don't hunt you down and kill you? Offering your heads would be better don't you think? After all, the resources of your little band of thugs are already mine to collect after you're all dead." Orochimaru's smile and voice turned a little cruel, causing the men to sweat.

"But....luckily for you. I'm feeling a bit merciful. I'll let you live, in fact I my even give you a new lease on life." Orochimaru said lazily.

'What? Just like that?' The thugs exchanged sceptical looks. They couldn't believe their ears! They could get to live!

But at what cost?

Bloody crow, a rather large man and the more daring of the three gathered his courage and voiced his questions warily: "E- Esteemed Master Orochi. What is it we wretches need to do?"

"Nothing much at all. You just need to pledge yourselves to me and my cause while toasting to me." They exchanged glances once again upon hearing his nonchalant response.

Really? It was that easy? No self mutilation? No daunting test of faith? Did he not fear being stabbed in the back? Why not use this chance to intimidate them? But when thinking further, they felt silly. This was a monster who took out the black tiger gang and all his men, just before coming around and killing all the other gang heads without a sign. What could they do to him?

Orochimaru looked at the three guys. Sure he could easily capture them or kill the remenats of the Gangs but he already had enough test subjects and research material at the moment. They could prove useful in other ways instead.

They'd need to be heavily trained both physically and psychologically to meet his lowest standards though.

He ordered a servant to bring some wine and allowed the men to sit across from himself. As they waited for the beverage, the snake sanin couldn't help but be a little baffled. They'd truly come with no ill intent? He'd been guarded against them and expected there to be an assassination attempt.

Orochimaru realized that this wasn't the elemental nations where children were psychologically molded to be ruthless and selfless. Even the thugs of the elemental nations had a certain callus and resolute mentality. But in this world and culture where immortals roamed, such a mentality would be futile and tragic.

Why fight back when nothing you do will matter? Why not just curry favour and kiss a little ass?- This was their mentality.

Though he also knew the second a more powerful force or opportunity came along they wouldn't hesitate to switch sides provided they get to cover their asses.

"Now, my first order for you three is very important. I need you to compile all the remaining members of your group. Then I'll need their names, profound realms, families, acquaintances and their baseline personalities. You have a week." The three looked baffled at the orders. But they didn't protest.

The Sanin watched them leave. He was already testing them. To make use of this small force. He'd need them to be ordered and structured. He'd need to know the Psychopaths and sociopaths, the family men and hot heads. All of them would be useful to him in some way.

With time, his mastery of the human psyche, charisma, familiarisation of the culture and mentality of this world's denizens this whole region would be firmly under his boot; willing to sacrifice themselves for him and his cause.

After the thugs left, Orochimaru summoned all the major businessmen of the entire Eastern region. Resulting in a gathering of 60-odd men who were the greatest producers of their respective industries.

As they mustered before the pale-skinned youth, those unfamiliar with him dreaded the demands of this new entity. How many of their female kin will they need to hand over to become playthings? How much wealth, food and other resources will they have to present to this man with a smile on their faces but pain in their hearts?

Never before had all the eastern slums been dominated by a singular force. There was always conflict between other gangs that would limit the tyranny that small businesses would be placed under. But now who knows what this Orochi Maru had in store for them?

However they were shocked at what the powerhouse asked them. He didn't place heavy 'protection' taxes on them nor did he demand for their wives and daughters. Instead he questioned them about the inner workings of their businesses and production.

He listened and asked questions only someone who truly understood and respected business could. The man even wanted to hear of their grievances and plight at the hands of those beyond the region!

Could it be that this lord Orochi Maru was an undercover city official that took pity on the untouchables?

______________________________

The Snake Sanin's days of leisurely experimentation was put on a partial hold as he was too busy with instructing and overseeing his new forces.

In order to squeeze out the maximum profits out of this region and prepare it for expansion, he needed to carefully micro-manage various fields.

He spent days teaching the leaders of the agricultural industry new techniques in seed sowing and livestock care.

He created and enforced regulations and standards for different industries and guarded them with the more 'lawful' ex- gang members.

The psychos, sadists and madmen were perfect for hunting down the few who didn't surrender to him or those who wouldn't abide by the new laws he imposed upon the populus of the region.

A few of them even became jailors and wardens for his 'Human specimens.'

Between managing all this. Orochimaru was still continusly expanding his chakra pool, practicing his Ninjutsu, Taijutsu and chakra control.

To say he was stressed and almost at a breaking point would be an understatement. But he persevered.

All this work would pay off in the coming future. At the current moment, the resources, benefits and boons gained after developing the region would be minimal in the short term.

But in the future... His harvest would be bountiful. He'd fatten them up nicely and the devour them in a single bite!